admin
Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
IT appears life is getting back to normal in the CAPS United camp following the disturbances that rocked the Green Machine boat last week and coach Taurai Mangwiro and his technical team might not have a difficult task to lift players’ morale ahead of the Mbada Diamonds Cup first round matches this weekend.
The Green Machine will face Motor Action at Sakubva on Saturday in a repeat of last season’s opening round game. Last year, Makepekepe were drawn against the Mighty Bulls and they won 2-0 at Trojan.
But this year’s competition comes when morale has plummeted to its lowest levels in the CAPS United camp following player unrest in protest over unpaid salaries and bonuses.
The Green Machine resumed work yesterday although wounds from last week’s turmoil are not completely healed. The players who claimed that they are owed about three months’ dues in salaries and bonuses were addressed by the leadership on Friday and accepted part payment as part of the compromise while more resources are being mobilised.
And yesterday they regrouped for an afternoon training session as they began preparing for the Mbada Diamonds Cup, which in itself is a big motivator because of the high stakes.
Team manager Gideon Mubayi said they were hoping to put the sad episode behind them and go further than the first round of the lucrative competition.
“At this moment I can safely say the problems that affected us last week have been solved. It was difficult. The morale was very low the whole of last week after losing that game to Dynamos and then the money issues coming up a few days later.
“But things are being sorted out and now it’s up to the players to rise from this setback. It will not be easy though to get everyone in the right mood but as the management we will do our best,” said Mubayi.
The Mbada Diamonds Cup has some rich pickings for all the 16 participating teams with winners this year set to pocket US$130 000 while all teams are guaranteed at least US$15 000 even if they fall at the first hurdle.
Last year, Makepekepe reached the semi-finals of the competition after showing improvements from the inaugural competition in 2011 when they were bundled out by Dynamos in the first round.
Prior to last week’s problems, CAPS United have been experiencing a period of success in the league having gone for a run of 10 games unbeaten and were only halted by their arch-rivals Dynamos last Sunday.
The Green Machine are hoping to bounce back to their winning form as they now focus on the Mbada Diamonds Cup. Although their opponents Motor Action may be in a worse state financially, which has seriously affected their fortunes on the field of play, Mubayi said CAPS United will not take the risk of rating them lightly.
“I think this is one of the trickiest assignments we face. We need to get back to our rhythm as a matter of urgency and it all depends on our attitude. We have been winning games of late and we will try not to let our problems affect us.
“The good thing with Cup games is that they are self-motivating and it is only fitting that for all our efforts this year as CAPS United we need something tangible to show for it,” said Mubayi. The Green Machine will be closely monitoring defensive midfielder Tendai Samanja who picked up an ankle injury in the Harare Derby against Dynamos, which they lost 1-0 last week.
On the positive side, they welcomed back at training Terrence Gonzo who had been on the sidelines for almost a month while David Rediyoni has also made significant strides towards full recovery.
“Samanja is the only worry at the moment but we are hoping that he will be fully fit by the end of the week. We had been told that he needed two to three days’ rest but we will only have to hear the official statement from the team doctor,” said Mubayi.
Champions Dynamos will open their account against Tripple B at Gibbo on Sunday while FC Platinum who missed the BancABC Sup8r Cup at the weekend after losing to Shabanie Mine on penalty shootout will travel to Hwange for a tricky tie.
Giants Highlanders will also have to negotiate a tricky path against Gishon Ntini’s Triangle in the second match of the double header encounters at Barbourfields on Sunday.
How Mine and Black Rhinos will warm the turf in the first match of the day at the venue with a 1:00pm kick-off. Sponsors raised stakes for this year’s tournament.
The 2013 Mbada Diamonds Cup champions are also set to get a further subsidy of US$110 000 to participate in the Caf Confederations Cup next year.
This money will cater for uniforms, accommodation, tracksuits and airfares. The runners up in the 16-team tournament, are set to earn more in prize money, going home with a cheque of US$90 000. It is a big hike from last year’s US$60 000 purse for the losing team in the final.
There has also been an upward variation for all the stages with teams that will reach the semi-finals getting US$45 000 each.
The quarter-finalists will receive US$30 000 each.
The eight teams to fall by the wayside in the first round will each get US$15 000 for being part of the competition.
This year’s edition has also departed from the norm and will see a draw being conducted at every stage of the tournament.
Mbada Diamonds Corporate Services executive, George Manyaya, proposed two weeks ago that football authorities peg gate charges at US$1 for the cheapest ticket to allow many people into the stadia.
The PSL leaders have taken the cue from their sponsor and fans will pay just US$1 to watch all the Mbada Diamonds Cup first round matches this weekend. Cheer leader Chris Musekiwa said this will help create a truly carnival atmosphere.
“I would like to applaud Mbada Diamonds for their exciting package of incentive in store for this year’s edition of the Mbada Diamonds Cup more importantly their waiver on gate charges amounting to just $1 for the cheapest ticket.
“The US$1 has been undervalued in sport therefore Mbada Diamonds deserves recognition in their quest to restore the dollar’s value through such incentives,” said Musekiwa.
Fans across the country yesterday took to the social media sites to salute Mbada Diamonds for making their matches affordable so that as many people as possible can watch the local football stars in action.
Highlanders and Dynamos fans led the way while there were also celebrations in the CAPS United corner.
Mbada Diamonds Cup Fixtures
Saturday
CAPS United v Motor Action (Sakubva), Shabanie Mine v Chicken Inn (Mandava), Black Mambas v Buffaloes (Rimuka)
Sunday
Hwange v FC Platinum (Colliery), Dynamos v Tripple B (Gibbo), How Mine v Black Rhinos (Barbourfields 1pm), Highlanders v Triangle (Barbourfields 3pm), Harare City v Monoz (Rufaro)
Online Reporter